Countdown in Nottingham 2011- Saturday 30th July

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 7:10 am

Evening all

It is with a huge grin on my face that I announce the third annual Countdown in Nottingham tournament, which will take place on Saturday 30th July at its traditional home- the Westdale Lane Community Centre in the Mapperley area of Nottingham.

Everybody will play 6 games of 9-round Countdown using the Bristol style of two to a table, everyone plays using the same letters (as seen at Cobris and Colei and, of course, previous CoNots). Beforehand there will be a five-round exhibition game using a brand new, not-before-seen and pretty revolutionary variant, and there will of course be chance during the day to sit outside in the sun/watch Jono attempt to kill himself using only a garden fence.

Entry will be £8, and you can pay me as always via paypal at hulla.mahulla@btopenworld.com or by cheque to my postal address (available upon request). Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the day and the entry fee will include another 12-page puzzle magazine like the one you got at COLIN. The difference is, this one will have only puzzles and no waffle. There will be prizes for at least the top 3,including the ultra-posh 1st place prize of an antique (roughly 100 years old) puzzle book.

Oh, and all are welcome to this event, provided they behave themselves.

Itinerary for the day-

10:00 venue opens
10:45 5 round exhibition game of a brand-new variant.
11:15 Game 1
12:00 Game 2
12:40 Lunch
13:40 Game 3
14:30 Game 4
15:10 Break
15:40 Game 5
16:20 Game 6
17:00 Finale- if we're ahead on time and there's enough demand I may do a head-to-head final.

If you're interested, just let me know or stick your name down below.

See you all in the summer!

Paid up entrants:

Martin Bishop
James Robinson
Richard Priest
Ryan Taylor
CJ De Mooi
Thomas Carey
Joseph Krol
Dave Coulthurst
Mike Brown
Matt Bayfield
Jonot O'Neill
Lesley Hines
Rob Foster
Gevin Chapwell
James Bradley
Ian Volante
Jack Hurst
Josh Hurst

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 8:02 am

Joseph Krol · Post by **Joseph Krol** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:08 pm

Should be able to come depending on dates.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:11 pm

Joseph Krol wrote:Should be able to come depending on dates.

Ditto, thank goodness it isn't the end of August, otherwise it would be a big no-no.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:34 pm

We'll be thinking of you all.

Is Jeff going?

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:47 pm

Sounds good...... but need the info!

Edward McCullagh · Post by **Edward McCullagh** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:32 pm

I may well head over for this!

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:54 pm

Ben Wilson wrote:Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the day

What about apple crumble?

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 7:21 pm

Why is this not a global announcement, Ben?

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 10:00 pm

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=213709775311821

Here's the link to the facebook page. It's a REAL event now!

Richard Priest · Post by **Richard Priest** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 10:02 pm

Good news

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 11:04 pm

Edward McCullagh wrote:I may well head over for this!

This would be amazing.

Lesley Hines · Post by **Lesley Hines** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 2:02 pm

Aw, this is the weekend of my wedding anniversary

Doesn't bother me but I think HWMBO might be a tad narked at dinner for one that he's had to cook. Otherwise what was the point in him getting married?

Soph K · Post by **Soph K** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 3:33 pm

Ben Wilson wrote:Evening all

It is with a huge grin on my face that I announce the third annual Countdown in Nottingham tournament, which will take place on Saturday 30th July at its traditional home- the Westdale Lane Community Centre in the Mapperley area of Nottingham.

Everybody will play 6 games of 9-round Countdown using the Bristol style of two to a table, everyone plays using the same letters (as seen at Cobris and Colei and, of course, previous CoNots). Beforehand there will be a seven-round exhibition game using a brand new, not-before-seen and pretty revolutionary variant, and there will of course be chance during the day to sit outside in the sun/watch Jono attempt to kill himself using only a garden fence.

Entry will be £8, and you can pay me as always via paypal at hulla.mahulla@btopenworld.com or by cheque to my postal address (available upon request). Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the day and the entry fee will include another 12-page puzzle magazine like the one you got at COLIN. The difference is, this one will have only puzzles and no waffle. There will be prizes for at least the top 3, depending on entries, and I'm looking into getting something special made up for the 1st place trophy.

Oh, and all are welcome to this event, provided they behave themselves.

If you're interested, just let me know or stick your name down below.

See you all in the summer!

YAY IF WE ARE NOT ON HOLIDAY THEN.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 6:51 pm

Jon O'Neill wrote:
Edward McCullagh wrote:I may well head over for this!
This would be amazing.

Whore.

Thomas Carey · Post by **Thomas Carey** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 5:39 pm

Think I can come.

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:00 pm

Thomas Carey wrote:Think I can come.

Early bloomer.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:45 pm

Would there be a London contingent going up on the Friday?

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 10:45 pm

I'm in.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:13 am

Gavin Chipper wrote:Would there be a London contingent going up on the Friday?

yeh

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:50 am

Jon O'Neill wrote:
Gavin Chipper wrote:Would there be a London contingent going up on the Friday?
yeh

"Contingent" is too strong without the best part of the gang.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 6:25 pm

Matt Morrison wrote:
Jon O'Neill wrote:
Gavin Chipper wrote:Would there be a London contingent going up on the Friday?
yeh
"Contingent" is too strong without the best part of the gang.

Can't I make it then?

On a separate note, what about you? Aren't you coming?

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 6:41 pm

Me and HB are in India.

Haha. I almost put "sadly" on the end of that. I love you dickheads too much.

Martin Bishop · Post by **Martin Bishop** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:00 pm

I'm thinking of coming up the day before. Is there a particular hotel everyone stays in?

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:28 pm

Rumour has it that there is a chance that Egghead CJ de Mooi could turn up for this. It's an outside chance but the date is in his diary nonetheless. I wouldn't post any comments about your views on the controversial CJ though since he has the link to this thread. (I love you CJ).

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:34 pm

Ryan Taylor wrote:Rumour has it that there is a chance that Egghead CJ de Mooi could turn up for this. It's an outside chance but the date is in his diary nonetheless. I wouldn't post any comments about your views on the controversial CJ though since he has the link to this thread. (I love you CJ).

Haha, good work not knowing what DM means. You noob.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:41 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:
Ryan Taylor wrote:Rumour has it that there is a chance that Egghead CJ de Mooi could turn up for this. It's an outside chance but the date is in his diary nonetheless. I wouldn't post any comments about your views on the controversial CJ though since he has the link to this thread. (I love you CJ).
Haha, good work not knowing what DM means. You noob.

Awesome work.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:43 pm

Yeah, pretty badass. Although this is clearly just an elaborate scheme of Ryan's to get on Eggheads. Clearly.

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:47 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:Yeah, pretty badass. Although this is clearly just an elaborate scheme of Ryan's to get on Eggheads. Clearly.

Ha. If I wasn't good enough the first time round then they will never have me!*

*I just started following the Egghead producer.

Martyn Simpson · Post by **Martyn Simpson** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:28 pm

It's about time I attended one of these, if you can PM your details to me Ben, I will send payment.

If anyone is in need of a lift from the West Midlands / Staffordshire area, then let me know.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Wed May 18, 2011 7:23 pm

It's all been a bit quiet on the CoNot front so far so here's a bit of news to get the excitement flowing for the event. I have just been on ebay and bought the first prize for the event- something I saw and instantly knew would be perfect, completely different than a voucher, trophy or a box of chocolates. All will be revealed in due course, in the meantime, there's never been a better time to paypal me your entry fees!

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:28 pm

Tempted by this, had plans to be in town around then anyway...

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Thu May 19, 2011 9:45 pm

Who's confirmed so far? I'm likely to go, but it's a bit early to commit.

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Mon May 23, 2011 3:29 pm

After initial talks broke down I can now confirm that negotiations are still ongoing and the latest news is that it is looking likely that Egghead CJ De Mooi will be able to attend Nottingham on the 30th July. TBC. This is more exciting than Transfer Deadline Day.

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Mon May 23, 2011 3:34 pm

I'm still not sure, Ben. When do you need entries by at the very latest?

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Mon May 23, 2011 4:22 pm

Rhys Benjamin wrote:I'm still not sure, Ben. When do you need entries by at the very latest?

As with COLIN, I can quite happily take entries up to and including the night before.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Tue May 24, 2011 12:31 pm

Ben Wilson wrote:
Rhys Benjamin wrote:I'm still not sure, Ben. When do you need entries by at the very latest?
As with COLIN, I can quite happily take entries up to and including the night before.

*snigger*

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:21 pm

First paid-up entry from Martin Bishop, it all seems a bit more 'real' now.

Here's what you'll be playing for on the day- top prize is this beautiful antique puzzle book (date unknown- various sources give it as being between 1885 and 1910) filled with word, picture and number puzzles.

Front cover

Some of the puzzles

Martin Bishop · Post by **Martin Bishop** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 12:47 pm

Ben Wilson wrote:First paid-up entry from Martin Bishop, it all seems a bit more 'real' now.

I guess that makes me the early favourite, then?

Matt Bayfield · Post by **Matt Bayfield** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 1:09 pm

That prize is pretty damn cool.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 3:13 pm

I would have loved to come to this but it's been confirmed I'll be in Egypt (win) and get back the day after. Have fun, everyone!

Rhys Benjamin · Post by **Rhys Benjamin** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 3:15 pm

Enjoy the revolution Dinos!

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:08 pm

Finally booked into a decent hotel!

Anyone else staying in Nottingham on the Friday night

Martin Bishop · Post by **Martin Bishop** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:33 pm

James Robinson wrote:Finally booked into a decent hotel!

Anyone else staying in Nottingham on the Friday night

Me. I'm staying at the Paramount Hotel. Probably should have mentioned this myself - finding a room proved to be a bit of a nightmare. England are playing India at cricket at Trent Bridge that weekend. I only found this out after I booked into a hotel with adjoining Indian restaurant.

Thomas Carey · Post by **Thomas Carey** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:24 pm

James Robinson wrote:Finally booked into a decent hotel!

Anyone else staying in Nottingham on the Friday night

Staying with my grandparents at the other end of Nottingham, like CoLei.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:44 pm

James Robinson wrote:Finally booked into a decent hotel!

Anyone else staying in Nottingham on the Friday night

Might do. Haven't committed to going yet though. Who is travelling up from London?

Soph K · Post by **Soph K** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 5:26 pm

It is the day before I go on holiday on Italy so am not certain about it yet. (Therefore Joseph also.) Will get back to you soon.

Douglas Wilson · Post by **Douglas Wilson** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:07 pm

Soph K wrote:It is the day before I go on holiday on Italy so am not certain about it yet. (Therefore Joseph also.) Will get back to you soon.

The forum will be quiet that week.

Soph K · Post by **Soph K** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 8:05 pm

Douglas Wilson wrote:
Soph K wrote:It is the day before I go on holiday on Italy so am not certain about it yet. (Therefore Joseph also.) Will get back to you soon.
The forum will be quiet that week.

OK i bet you i can be "quiet" aka not annoying and hardly any capital letters for a week starting now!

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 8:49 pm

Soph K wrote:
Douglas Wilson wrote:
Soph K wrote:It is the day before I go on holiday on Italy so am not certain about it yet. (Therefore Joseph also.) Will get back to you soon.
The forum will be quiet that week.
OK i bet you i can be "quiet" aka not annoying and hardly any capital letters for a week starting now!

Bet you can't.

Karen Pearson · Post by **Karen Pearson** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:10 pm

Soph K wrote: OK i bet you i can be "quiet" aka not annoying and hardly any capital letters for a week starting now!

Bet you can't last a year!

Soph K · Post by **Soph K** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:35 pm

Karen Pearson wrote:
Soph K wrote: OK i bet you i can be "quiet" aka not annoying and hardly any capital letters for a week starting now!
Bet you can't last a year!

Could! If I wanted to! But I don't!

Soph K · Post by **Soph K** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:36 pm

Ian Volante wrote:
Soph K wrote: OK i bet you i can be "quiet" aka not annoying and hardly any capital letters for a week starting now!
Bet you can't.

Bet I can! So I did that post yesterday...I can be quiet until Thursday next week, I know it!

Matt Coates · Post by **Matt Coates** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 3:08 pm

Hi, Can you please stick in the following:

Matt Coates
Mick Egan
Andy Staufenbiel

Cheers

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:00 pm

Updated with all paid entrants. As with COLIN, I do need (or at the very least would prefer) payment in advance before I can add your names to the list.

I've also added details of the day's itinerary. There will be 6 games as per normal, game 1 starts at 11:15 but if this is inconvenient for people it can be bumped back (I've got the hall 10-6). There won't be a cooked lunch but there will be nibbles throughout the day with the possibility of sandwiches.

The exhibition game has been shortened to just 5 rounds, which will be pre-selected (all will become clear once you realise what the variant entails). Obviously, participation in this is non-mandatory, and tbh following the dud that was the COLIN 2011 exhibition I was tempted to drop it entirely, but dammit, it's my event and I'll faff around if I want to.

32 days to go.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:39 pm

Jon O'Neill wrote:
Gavin Chipper wrote:Would there be a London contingent going up on the Friday?
yeh

So who is going up from London on the Friday and at what time?

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:50 pm

I'm now 99% certain to be in Nottingham that weekend, just need to confirm details

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:52 am

Getting the 0815 from St. Pancras to Nottingham (arrives 0959) and the 2045 home (arrives 2248).

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:59 pm

One quick one- can anybody bring down a copy of the ODE3? Games will be done Bristol-style so will only need one copy of the board game (which I can provide) but I don't have up-to-date literature yet.

Lesley Hines · Post by **Lesley Hines** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:20 pm

Aw, turns out he wants me to be happy after all

Room for a little one?